Page:The Tamils Eighteen Hundred Years Ago.djvu/205

Rh and having led him to a seat, washed his feet, and courteously said, “It is my good fortune that you are pleased to pay me this visit, although this short walk must have given your aged feet no little pain. May you be blessed with health for many years to come!”

“Listen to me Queen!" said the monk “although my life is devoted to religion, I am now like the setting sun.” He then began an eloquent exposition of the teachings of Buddha regarding the cause of birth, ignorance, good and evil deeds and their consequences. He exhorted the Queen and all who listened to him to keep in the path of virtue: and turning to Manimêkalai, he said, “you young maid, who know your former birth! you shall have to learn first the doctrines of other creeds, and then I shall teach you the principles of Buddhism.” As he rose to depart, Manimêkalai bowing at his feet, said “If I stay any longer in this city, every one will curse me as one who caused the death of the king’s son. shall therefore visit the country of Aputra: thence I shall go to Manipallavam, and to Vanji where a temple has been erected to Kannaki.” Looking at her mother and grandmother, she said, “my dear relatives! be not concerned about my safety,” and left them. Proceeding to the temple of Champa-pati, she worshipped the Goddess, and flying through the air, descended in a grove in Chavakam, outside the great city of the king, who is a descendant of Indra. She saluted a, monk, who was living in that grove, and asked “what is the name of this city and who is its ruler?” The monk replied “This is Naga-puram, and the reigning king is Punya-raja, son of Bhoomichandra. From the day of the birth of his king,